Holwell Win At Anstey

It what is always a tricky venue to go and play let alone come away with a victory Holwell came away pleased with their afternoons work. Holwell who have had their fixtures disrupted lately because of the weather faced a match fit Anstey side who were looking for revenge for their two earlier defeats this season in the FA Vase and the League Cup.

Holwell were also a little short on numbers. Denigan was missing due to work commitments, Rose started his two match suspension while Stainsby saw out the remaining match of his suspension. Randall was missing due to injury, while Smith was also unavailable. In came Hallam and Keast for their first starts of 2015, and Keasts' of the season.

Holwell started brightly and could have been three goals to good in the opening 15 minutes. Wells flashed a header over the bar in the opening two minutes, before Mooney shot wide. Wells then had a chance from 6 yards but failed to connect with his header, as Hibbitt fired a shot from distance over the bar.

Holwell finally made the break through their early pressure deserved when Foster played a one, two with Keast before shooting across goal and into the net.

Five minutes later and Holwell doubled their lead. Again it was Keast who was the architect this time chipping in for Wells though managed to flick his header over the helpless keeper.

Holwell continued to threaten and push for the third goal. Mooney going close with a couple of efforts, as well as Stannard who had a shot blocked.

Anstey showed their attacking threat also in the first half, looking dangerous on the break with only some good last ditch defending protecting the Holwell goal.

Emerging after half time, Holwell looked for the third goal that would finally put the match beyond Anstey. Anstey however managed to pin Holwell deep in their own half, in a complete role reversal to the first half. Holwell threatened on the break but their pass was now lacking in quality.

Mooney fired Holwells' best chance over the bar, before Wells followed suit. At the other end Holwell were beginning to ride their luck. Only more last ditch defending and some wayward finishing by the Anstey forwards were stopping them from finding a route back in the match.

Anstey finally managed to the Holwell rearguard action with five minutes remaining Hartopp bursting through the Holwell defence and slotting in to the empty net.

Just as Cropston Road braced itself for a grand stand finish, Daws brought Calver on for Stannard, and moments later it was Calver who finally killed the game turning sharply in the Anstey box and firing into the top corner from another Keast assist.

Holwell managed to see out injury time without any more scares to gain their first league win at Anstey since May 2010, when a hat trick from L.Fox and a brace from L.Prenderville helped Holwell to a 1-6 victory on the final day of the season.

Holwell now find themselves in 12th position in EMCL table, 3 points adrift of 8th position with a game in hand.

Holwell entertain Aylestone Park on Saturday at Welby Road. Aylestone who have had a tough campaign so far find themselves down in 19th, but will be buoyed by a good 2-2 draw away at 7th placed Barrow on Saturday.